Keto Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs: A Cheesy, Low-Carb Delight

These Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs are a fantastic addition to any keto or low-carb diet. Boasting a molten, cheesy core nestled within a savory meatball and bathed in a delectable marinara sauce, they're sure to satisfy your cravings without derailing your dietary goals. These meatballs are wonderful. You may even try to re-create this recipe into an Italian-inspired hamburger patty. Can you imagine having a mozzarella stuffed cheeseburger?

Why You'll Love This Recipe

These meatballs are not only delicious but also incredibly versatile and easy to make. They freeze well and reheat perfectly, making them ideal for meal prepping. They can be enjoyed as a standalone meal, paired with keto-friendly pasta alternatives like Palmini, zoodles (zucchini noodles), spaghetti squash, or shirataki noodles, or even incorporated into a meatball parmesan dish.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Ground Beef: Opt for 90% lean ground beef to strike a balance between flavor and fat content.
• Pork Rinds: Crushed pork rinds serve as an excellent low-carb binder, holding the meatballs together without drying them out, adding zero carbs.
• Mozzarella: You'll need small pieces of cubed mozzarella, that gets all soft and melty in the oven, to stuff into the center of each meatball. Fresh mozzarella blocks can be found in the cheese section of your local grocery store. Mini bocconcini balls can also be used, halved if necessary. When buying the Mozzarella make sure that you buy the Low Moisture Whole Fat (Whole Milk) version and not the Low Moisture Part Skim version.
• Marinara Sauce: While homemade marinara is an option, Rao's is a popular jarred sauce with low sugar content. The Arrabbiata version offers a flavorful kick.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds flavor and helps bind the mixture.
• Oil: To keep the meat from sticking.
• Onion: Adds flavor.
• Herbs and Spices: Fresh basil, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavor profile.

Optional Ingredients

• Almond Flour: Can be used as a substitute for pork rinds.
• Italian Sausage: For a richer, more complex flavor.
• Avocado Oil: Preferred for high-heat applications due to its high smoke point.
• Coconut Sugar: To balance the acidity of the tomatoes in the marinara sauce.
• Butter: To add richness and help the flavors meld together in the sauce.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Meatballs

1. Preheat: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Alternatively, preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
2. Mix: In a medium mixing bowl, add the ground beef, pork rinds (or almond flour and Parmesan), egg, cream, water, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano. Mix well with clean hands to combine. Be careful not to overwork the meat, as this can result in tough meatballs. Alternatively, in a large bowl, mix together ground meat, oil, onion, egg, almond flour, parmesan cheese, parsley, basil, and pepper. Mix just until combined (over mixing will create tough meatballs!)
3. Shape: Separate the meatball mixture into 12 separate chunks and form each piece into a small patty. Alternatively, divide meat into 24 even pieces.
4. Stuff: Place a piece of mozzarella in the center of each patty and carefully fold the edges up around the cheese to seal it in. Be sure to seal the meatball completely around the cheese so it does not leak out while baking. Take a golf ball sized piece of the meat mixture and place a cut piece of mozzarella in the middle then form a meatball around the cheese until it’s fully enclosed leaving no gaps. Wrap each piece around a piece of mozzarella cheese. Roll into a ball ensuring all of the cheese is completely covered by the meatball.
5. Chill: Place meatballs in the fridge to chill for 10 minutes.

Baking Instructions

1. Bake: Place the meatballs in a 12-inch cast iron skillet or in a 9×13 baking dish that’s been sprayed with non-stick spray. Space evenly on the baking sheet, and bake for 30 minutes, rotating halfway through. Bake for 15 minutes.
2. Add Sauce: Remove meatballs from the oven and spoon the marinara evenly over each meatball.
3. Simmer: Remove meatballs from the oven, gently stir into the sauce, and let simmer on the stovetop for an additional 15 minutes.

Air Fryer Instructions

1. Prepare: Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. If breading combine the pork rind crumbs and parmesan in a medium bowl. remove meatballs from fridge and roll through the breadcrumb mixture until meatball is coated. Lightly spray the tops of the meatballs in the air fryer.
2. Air Fry: Place each meatball in a lightly greased air fryer basket. Air Fry for 12 minutes at 400°F. You may need to fry in batches, depending on your air fryer.
3. Serve: Remove from air fryer basket and serve with marinara sauce, shaved parmesan and fresh basil.

Preparing the Marinara Sauce (Optional)

1. Sauté: Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat for 1 minute. Add olive oil and heat through for another minute. Add diced onion and stir for 1 minute. Add dried spices (salt, pepper, and oregano.) Cook for another 4-5 mins until softened, stirring occasionally. Throw in the garlic cloves and sauté one more min, stirring frequently.
2. Simmer: Add the tomatoes and fresh basil. Let the mixture come to a low boil. Add the coconut sugar, stir, and turn the heat down to a simmer. Let cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Finish: Add butter and let it simmer for another 7-10 minutes so all the flavors meld together. Taste for additional salt and pepper.

Tips and Tricks for Perfect Keto Meatballs

• Don't Overmix: Overmixing the meatball mixture can lead to tough meatballs. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
• Seal the Cheese: Ensure the cheese is completely enclosed within the meatball to prevent it from leaking out during cooking.
• Use a Deep Pan: These meatballs release a lot of fat during cooking. Use a deep oven-safe pan, like a cast iron skillet, to prevent spills.
• Fresh Herbs: Using fresh herbs will elevate the flavor of the meatballs and sauce.
• Customize: Feel free to experiment with different ground meats, cheeses, and spices to create your own unique flavor combinations.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with marinara sauce either topped onto each meatball or on the side for dipping.
• Garnish with chopped parsley or fresh basil.
• Pair with keto-friendly pasta alternatives like zoodles, spaghetti squash, or shirataki noodles.
• Enjoy as a standalone meal or appetizer.

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerate: Store leftover meatballs (and marinara sauce) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Freeze in an air tight container or freezer bag for up to one month. Thaw to room temperature and then place frozen meatballs in the air fryer and fry at 350°F for 5 minutes.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Rubbery Meatballs: Avoid overworking the meat mixture. Oil your hands before forming the meatballs and gently shape them.
• Dry Meatballs: Ensure you have enough fat in the mixture. If using lean ground beef, consider adding a bit of olive oil or incorporating Italian sausage.
• Cheese Leaking: Make sure the cheese is completely sealed inside the meatball.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information is approximate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used. Each meatball contains roughly 1g of total carbs per meatball. These air fryer mozzarella stuffed meatballs are sure to fit into a keto and low carb diet. Since there is no added sugar or breading these meatballs are also gluten free and diabetic friendly.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

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